Climate Change Adaptation
Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)
Deforestation is the second leading cause of global warming, responsible for about 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Indonesia is the third greatest emitter of CO2 due to logging and fires in the forests that cover 60 percent of its land mass – and because of this, the REDD scheme gives Indonesia a central role to play.
Under the REDD program Indonesia will receive cash incentives to protect its remaining forests, and is the first country to create a legal framework for implementing REDD projects.
While policymakers hope that REDD will spur a massive inflow of capital to tropical countries, there are substantial issues to be addressed in the implementation of REDD programs, such as the rights of traditional forest dwellers and establishing clear mechanisms for measuring and monitoring carbon stocks.
Getting Ready for REDD
At national level, the Partnership has been working closely with the National Council on Climate Change, NCCC, to develop a communication strategy and campaign materials providing information about climate change, and to raise the level of awareness of the REDD schemes among various stakeholders by providing training and public consultations. We also managed to contribute to Indonesia’s position at the Copenhagen Climate change conference.
The Partnership also assisted the Civil Society Forum on Climate Justice (CSF) with both resources and by facilitating discussions of the new regulations. This grant will continue into 2010.
For REDD to be financed through the carbon market, the first step is to properly assess the market value of the forests and also their non market value, including all externalities. These are complex scientific calculations – and an area where the Indonesian government needs technical support.
One of the many challenges in implementing REDD is accurately measuring the stock of carbon biomass. The Partnership has been supporting a group of scientists from Gadjah Mada University to gather data in peatlands on the Kampar Peninsula, developing different equations to estimate the carbon stock. The completed study has been presented to the Ministry of Forestry’s working group on climate change.
Another important step in preparation for REDD implementation has been the review of Sumatra’s spatial layout plan. Working closely with the Ministry of the Environment, the Partnership ensured that CSOs from eight provinces were consulted in the process.
